Cultivating Resilience with NILALEG’s Bush2Feed Initiative
Under the unrelenting Namibian sun, a flourishing garden emerges as a testament to resilience and hope. In Katima Mulilo Rural, where nature’s rhythms blend seamlessly with the pulse of daily life, Manga Lubanda leads the Bush2Feed pilot project. Supported by the Namibian Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance (NILALEG), this initiative addresses the pressing challenges of drought and food insecurity by transforming arid land into a productive oasis that supports local farmers and their livestock.
NILALEG’s support has empowered a local gardener, Manga Lubanda, with seeds for essential crops such as lablab beans, cowpeas, and lucerne. These crops provide critical cattle feed to neighbouring farmers grappling with barren grazing lands and nutrient-deficient livestock diets. Having received formal training in Kalimbeza Village, Lubanda has turned her garden into a hub of agricultural activity, supporting both her family and the local farming community.
To meet the constant demand for livestock feed, she employs a strategic planting system, cultivating vegetation at three stages: seedlings, maturing crops, and almost-ripe harvests. This approach ensures a steady supply of feed even in the face of challenging conditions. Alongside seeds and fertiliser, a milling machine provided by NILALEG has become integral to Lubanda’s operation, allowing her to prepare high-quality feed such as sunflower-based chicken feed, Nipier grass, and Tef grass. Often mixed with salt to enhance nutritional value, these feeds are milled three to four times a month, depending on demand.
Manga’s dedication goes beyond her personal achievements. Through actively mentoring community members in sustainable farming practices, she inspires others to unlock the potential of their land, fostering collaboration and growth in the region. “I always encourage my community to start their own gardens. I’m happy to offer short training sessions and share my knowledge,” she smiles, reflecting her passion for empowering those around her. Her garden also serves as a source of employment for two young men, contributing to job creation and skills development. Through these efforts, Manga empowers her community to adopt innovative agricultural solutions, strengthening collective resilience against environmental challenges.
Despite her successes, Manga Lubanda faces ongoing challenges. Water scarcity remains a major barrier to expanding her garden, and some grasses struggle to thrive in the harsh climate. “I am pleading for help with drip irrigation or sprinklers so that I can extend my land,” she explains, emphasising how such support would enable her to meet the high demand from local farmers. Currently, this demand often forces her to harvest grass before it has fully matured. Additionally, livestock such as goats and cattle frequently invade the garden at night, causing significant damage and losses. Seasonal threats from migrating elephants exacerbate these issues. Implementing proper fencing would provide a long-term solution to protect the garden from domestic animals, ensuring its sustainability. Maintenance costs for the milling machine, particularly for oil, further strain resources, as the machine can only operate for six to seven hours a day before overheating.
Manga Lubanda’s story is a powerful testament to determination and hope, demonstrating how passion and support can turn challenges into opportunities. Her thriving garden not only provides sustenance for her family and community but also highlights the importance of perseverance and innovation in overcoming resource constraints. While grateful for the progress made, Lubanda remains optimistic about the future and advocates for continued investment in essential infrastructure like fencing and irrigation to broaden the garden’s impact. By tackling these challenges, the Bush2Feed initiative has the potential to evolve into a sustainable model for agricultural growth and resilience in Katima Mulilo Rural and beyond.
Other than addressing immediate agricultural needs, the Bush2Feed initiative also serves broader environmental and economic goals by providing a sustainable source of livestock feed. This effort alleviates pressure on natural grazing lands, fostering land restoration and conservation. With unwavering dedication and support, Manga’s vision for a greener, more sustainable future is within reach.
Muningandu Hoveka
Spearheaded by the NILALEG project, that is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Global Environment Facility.
